Wing Off packs Shawnee Mountain

Friday

Aug 16, 2013 at 10:11 AMAug 22, 2013 at 2:13 PM

Thousands again thronged Shawnee Mountain Ski Resort from near and far in the tri-state area to sample and savor 67,292 wings for the 18th annual Pocono Chicken Wing Off Sunday that benefited Monroe County Meals on Wheels.

SHARON ROTHMAN

Thousands again thronged Shawnee Mountain Ski Resort from near and far in the tri-state area to sample and savor 67,292 wings for the 18th annual Pocono Chicken Wing Off Sunday that benefited Monroe County Meals on Wheels.

Mimi Mikels, executive director of Meals on Wheels, said, "Today was a great success. This wing off is a reflection of how the Pocono community and area nonprofits can join forces to make a difference and is our single largest fundraiser for the year."

Meals on Wheels plans, supplies and delivers nutritious meals to the homebound who are unable provide for themselves. This year, proceeds will provide 2,100 meals to the homebound who are physically or mentally unable to shop for and/or prepare meals for themselves.

Preparing for its second year at Shawnee, Wing Off organizers recalled last year's massive turnout and better configured a layout for the hungry crowds. Shawnee Ski Mountain spokesman Kevin J. Furst said Meals on Wheels provided additional volunteers this year to mange the wait lines, assuring all were waiting for the correct restaurant.

"We had a lot of help from Target who brought many from their community outreach program to assist us," Meals on Wheels board member Sharon Carey said. "Shawnee had taken up every available fryer in the area from Leigh Valley to Easton. That's pretty incredible."

Twenty-two vendors participated at the festival with 11 in the Wing Off competition. Shawnee Mountains Food and Beverage Director Tamy Galfo said Shawnee Mountain prepared 4,652.5 pounds of wings and Wing Off participants prepared 2,200 pounds of wings for a total of 6,852.5 pounds of wings that were prepared Saturday for the following day's feast.

Shawnee Mountain kitchen staff fried the majority of wings, while a few chefs brought their own. Executive chef Gaurav Navin of the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort said, "We took two days preparing for the Wing Off, with over 400 pounds of chicken."

A panel of four judges sampled 48 types of wings. Contenders used creative license when naming some such as Twisted Broccoli, Curry & Stew, Jack & Bill, Root Beer Float and Limon Chimichurri. Judges voted on two categories — Chef's Choice and Most Original — with $250 top prizes.

A ballot vote was taken for People's Choice for Hottest Wing and Best Tasting Wing. One judge — TV newscaster Scott Schaffer — resigned after tasting a second wing. Judge Ben Bird said, "There was a bit of confusion at first, with the divas who delivered the wings. One restaurant gave them a hot wing by mistake." Schaffer, who signed up to help "because it's a great cause," said the wing "packed a punch and knocked this judge out."

After two hours of deliberation, the judges picked the winners and their decision matched the People's Choice of Van Gilder's Jubilee Restaurant of Pocono Pines with its Chicken & Waffles (simply a waffle battered fried wing topped with powdered sugar).

On Saturday, Shawnee Mountain will host its Mud Run for all ages to emphasize fun, teamwork and, in some cases, helping others finish the unique 5K course up the mountain against water obstacles safely. It starts at 9:30 a.m., rain or shine.